Methods for Purifying Pertussis Toxin and Peptides Useful Therefor

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to reagents and methods for purifying pertussis toxin (PT).

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. Ser. No. 10/579,655 filed Aug. 10, 2007, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,299,210 B2, which is the National Stage Application under 35 U.S.C. §371 of International Application No. PCT/US2004/038700 filed Nov. 18, 2004, which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/523,881 filed Nov. 20, 2003.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to reagents and methods for purifying pertussis toxin (PT).

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Pertussis toxin (PT) is produced by Bordetella pertussis is a main component in all vaccines against whooping cough. PT is typically combined with tetanus and diphtheria toxoids. Industrial production of PT is typically achieved by cultivating B. pertussis in defined media. PT is then isolated from the supernatant and purified by using the well-known techniques (i.e., U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,399,076; 5,877,298; and, Sekura, et al. J. Biol. Chem. 258:14647-14651, 1983; Bogdan, et al. Appl. Env. Micro. 69(10): 6272-6279, October 2003). The majority of known methods each require the use of matrix-bound bovine fetuin (BF) or asialofetuin, the source and purity of which is critical. The use of bovine-derived reagents has led to some concern over bovine-related diseases such as bovine spongioform encephalopathy (BSE).

Those of skill in the art have therefore desired a method for purifying PT that does not rely on BF. One such method is described by Bogdan, et al. (Appl. Env. Micro. 69(10): 6272-6279, October 2003) Peptides having the ability to mimic the glycosidic moiety of bovine fetuin by binding to PT were identified using a phage display system. Three peptides (3G5: NGSFSGF (SEQ ID NO: 1); 3G8: NGSFSGC (SEQ ID NO: 2); and, 3G2: DGSFSGF (SEQ ID NO: 3)) having the consensus sequence XGSFSGX (X is any amino acid; SEQ ID NO: 4)) were identified as having PT-binding capacity. 3G2 was also utilized in an affinity column to purify PT from a partially purified PT preparation.

Additional methods for designing and utilizing peptides to purify PT in the absence of bovine products are desired by those of skill in the art. Provided herein are reagents and methodologies for affinity purification of PT without the use of fetuin in any form.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1. A) Schematic representation of the gurmarin library. Positions of the library that are translated to an amino acid sequence are indicated by boxes in light yellow. The sequence of the protein portion (59 amino acids in length) is shown in the single letter amino acid code, where X represents any amino acid. Portions of the library that are not translated are indicated as gray boxes. (a) T7-promoter for optimal in vitro transcription of library, (b) TMV—Tabaco Mosaic Virus translation initiation sequence for perfect in vitro translation of library, (c) His₆-tag for efficient affinity purification of PROfusion™ library, (d) structural, flexible linker, (e) gurmarin core with two randomized loops containing 5 and 9 amino acids respectively, (f) structural, flexible linker and (g) optimized linker for efficient coupling with puromycin-acceptor-molecule. B) The construction of the gurmarin PROfusion™ library is a multi-step process comprising the following reactions: PCR, in vitro transcription, chemical ligation of RNA with puromycin-oligonucleotide linker, in vitro translation, oligo-dT purification, reverse transcription and His-tag purification.

FIG. 2. Schematic representation of a PROfusion™ selection cycle.

FIG. 3. Selected gurmarin variants that should be tested for binding activity towards PT. Conserved sequence motifs are highlighted by colored boxes, SEQ ID NOS. 81-101.

FIG. 4. Sequence analysis of the gurmarin selection round 4 against PT. The amino acid sequence of individual variants is shown in the single letter amino acid code. Constant, flanking regions of the library are indicated by light yellow boxes, constant regions of the gurmarin scaffold are indicated as green boxes. The position of the randomized loops 1 and 2 are indicated. The variants are listed from top to bottom in the following order: SEQ ID NOS. 102(3), 103, 102(3), 104-110, 102, and 111-147.

FIG. 5. Sequence analysis of the gurmarin selection round 5 a against PT (epoxy). The amino acid sequence of individual variants is shown in the single letter amino acid code. Constant, flanking regions of the library are indicated by light yellow boxes, constant regions of the gurmarin scaffold are indicated as green boxes. The position of the randomized loops 1 and 2 are indicated. The variants are listed from top to bottom in the following order: SEQ ID NOS. 148(3), 149, 148(2), 150, 151(2), 148, 155, 148(2), 156, 157, 155, 158(2), 159, 148(4), 160, 148(2), 161, 148(4), 162, 148(2), and 163-169.

FIG. 6. Sequence analysis of the gurmarin selection round 5 b against PT (strep). The amino acid sequence of individual variants is shown in the single letter amino acid code. Constant, flanking regions of the library are indicated by light yellow boxes, constant regions of the gurmarin scaffold are indicated as green boxes. The position of the randomized loops 1 and 2 are indicated. The variants are listed from top to bottom in the following order: SEQ ID NOS. 170, 171(16), 172, 173, 174, 171(2), 175-181, 182(2), 183(2), 184, 185(2), 186(2), 187-195, 196(3), 197, and 198.

FIG. 7. Sequence analysis of the gurmarin selection round 6 a against PT (strep). The amino acid sequence of individual variants is shown in the single letter amino acid code. Constant, flanking regions of the library are indicated by light yellow boxes, constant regions of the gurmarin scaffold are indicated as green boxes. The position of the randomized loops 1 and 2 are indicated. The variants are listed from top to bottom in the following order: SEQ ID NOS. 199 (15), 200, 199 (19), 201, 199 (6), 202, 203(2), 204, 205(2), 206, 207, 203, 208, 209, 203, 210, 211, 204, and 212.

FIG. 8. Sequence analysis of the gurmarin selection round 6 b against PT (strep). The amino acid sequence of individual variants is shown in the single letter amino acid code. Constant, flanking regions of the library are indicated by light yellow boxes, constant regions of the gurmarin scaffold are indicated as green boxes. The position of the randomized loops 1 and 2 are indicated. The variants are listed from top to bottom in the following order: SEQ ID NOS. 213(2), 214-217, 213, 218, 219, 213, 220, 213(2), 221, 213(16), 222, 213(7), 223, 224, 213(2), 225, 213, 226, 213(4), 227-229, 213(5), 229, 213, 231-242, 213, 242, 213, 243, 213, and 244-252.

FIG. 9. Selected PP26 variants that will be tested for binding activity towards PT. Conserved sequence motifs are highlighted as colored letters. The variants, listed from top to bottom, are SEQ ID NOS. 253-269.

FIG. 10. Sequence analysis of the PP26 selection round 4 against PT. The amino acid sequence of individual variants is shown in the single letter amino acid code. Constant, flanking regions of the library are indicated by light yellow boxes. The variants are listed from top to bottom in the following order: SEQ ID NOS. 253(6), 270(3), 271, 272, 271(2), 273, 274, 275(2), and 276-305.

FIG. 11. Sequence analysis of the PP26 selection round 5 a against PT (epoxy). The amino acid sequence of individual variants is shown in the single letter amino acid code. Constant, flanking regions of the library are indicated by light yellow boxes. Conserved sequence motifs are highlighted in red or yellow respectively. The variants are listed from top to bottom in the following order: SEQ ID NOS. 306, 307(4), 308-311, 307(3), 312-315, 312 (6), 316, 312, 316, 312 (7), 317-320, 415, 320 (3), 321 (2), 322 (2), 323, 324 (3), 325-338, 339 (2), 341, and 342.

FIG. 12. Sequence analysis of the PP26 selection round 5 b against PT (strep). The amino acid sequence of individual variants is shown in the single letter amino acid code. Constant, flanking regions of the library are indicated by light yellow boxes. Conserved sequence motifs are highlighted in red or yellow respectively. The variants are listed from top to bottom in the following order: SEQ ID NOS. 343 (7), 344-346, 345 (5), 347 (2), 345, 348, 347, 345 (2), 349 (4), 350-354, 355 (2), 356 (2), and 357-367.

FIG. 13. Sequence analysis of the PP26 selection round 6 a against PT. The amino acid sequence of individual variants is shown in the single letter amino acid code. Constant, flanking regions of the library are indicated by light yellow boxes. Conserved sequence motifs are highlighted in red or yellow respectively. The variants are listed from top to bottom in the following order: SEQ ID NOS. 368 (18), 369, 368 (3), 370 (11), 371, 372, 373 (15), 374, 373 (8), 375 (2), 376 (2), 377, 378 (4), 379, 380 (5), and 381-393.

FIG. 14. Sequence analysis of the PP26 selection round 6 b against PT. The amino acid sequence of individual variants is shown in the single letter amino acid code. Constant, flanking regions of the library are indicated by light yellow boxes. The variants are listed from top to bottom in the following order: SEQ ID NOS. 394, 395, 396, 397 (40), 398, 399 (5), 400, 399 (13), 401, 399 (7), 400 (2), 401, 402 (2), 403-414.

FIG. 15. Immobilization of synthetic biotinylated core peptides to Streptavidin sepharose and verification of binding to purified PT. The unbound fraction of PT was analyzed by separation of 1/40 volume of the supernatant after binding on a 12% NuPage gel with MES running-buffer (upper gel). To analyze sepharose bound PT 50% of the eluate was separated on 12% NuPage gel with MES running-buffer (lower gel). Detection was performed by silver staining Defined amounts of purified PT were used as standard for quantification, except for the gurmarin peptides 15 and 9.

FIG. 16. Purification of PT out of Sample A (left gel) and Sample B (right gel). To analyze sepharose bound PT 50% of the eluate was separated on 12% NuPage gel with MES running-buffer (lower gel). Detection was performed by silver staining Defined amounts of purified PT were used as standard for quantification, except for the gurmarin peptide 9.

FIG. 17. Optimization of the washing conditions of bound PT out of sample A or B to immobilized peptides pp26 clone 9 and 15 and gurmarin clone 9 and 15 using 3 washes of 50 mM Tris/HCl, pH 7.5 or 50 mM acetate, pH 6. The PT were analyzed on 12% Bis Tris gels and visualized by silver staining PPM: protein perfect marker.

FIG. 18. Optimization of washing conditions of bound PT out of sample B to immobilized peptides pp26 clone 9 using 3 to 20 washes of 50 mM Tris/HCl, pH 7.5 or 50 mM acetate, pH 6. The PT was analyzed on 12% Bis Tris gels and visualized by silver staining

FIG. 19. Elution of PT from peptide streptavidin sepharose with 0.2 to 2.0 MMgCl₂ in 50 mM Tris/HCl. Peptide bound PT was displaced from the peptide-streptavidin sepharose by three consecutive washes with the indicated elution buffers (20 μl each). Remaining material was subsequently eluted with gel loading buffer. All elutions were analyzed on 12% Bis Tris gels (1× MES running buffer) and visualized by silver staining.

FIG. 20. Elution of PT from peptide streptavidin sepharose under acidic (50 mM glycim:, pH 2.5) or basic (100 mM carbonat boffer, pH 10.5) conditions. Peptide bound PT was displaced from the peptide streptavidin sepharose (20 μl containing ˜200 pmol of one peptide) by three consecutive washes with with the indicated elution buffers (40 μl each). Remaining material was subsequently eluted with gel loading buffer. All elutions were analyzed on 12% Bis Tris gels (1× MES running buffer) and visualized by silver staining 1/40 volume of the flow through after peptide streptavidin sepharose incubation with sample A was analyzed was analyzed on the same gel for each peptide.

FIG. 21. Small scale column purification of PT from sample B on streptavidin sepharose with immobilized pp26 peptide 9 as affinity ligand (A) an gel estimation of the yield of purified PT (B).

FIG. 22. Small scale column purification of PT from sample B on streptavidin sepharose with immobilized gurmarin peptide 15 as affinity ligand (A) an gel estimation of the yield of purified PT (B).

FIG. 23. PT binding to peptide streptavidin sepharose in dependence of varying amounts of peptide (as indicated) used for immobilzation on streptavidin sepharose (per 1 ml). Amount of bound PT was quantified by direct comparison to defined amounts of purified PT on the same gel. As an example, pp26/9 is plotted against the amount of peptide used for immobilization per ml of streptavidin sepharose. Maximal binding was estimated at approximately 100-150 pmol PT.

FIG. 24. PT yield as function of varying amounts of input material (sample B) per μl peptide streptavidin sepharose or 6.85 μl asialofetuin sepharose. The amount of eluted PT was calculated on the basis of direct comparison to defined amounts of purified PT on the same gel and listed in the Table 12.

FIG. 25. Reutilization of peptide sepharose for repeated PT binding and elution. Bound PT to streptavidin sepharose were 4 times eluted with 100 mM Carbonate buffer at pH 10.5 and the cloumn matrix was regenerated with 10 mM HCl.

FIG. 26. PT elution fractions after FPLC-column purification on pp26/9 peptide streptavidin sepharose (0.5 ml) from sample B. The elution fractions (0.5 μl of each 500 μl elution) were analyzed by PAGE (12% Bis-Tris-Gel, MES running buffer) and silver staining Defined amounts of purified PT were seperated on the same gel for direct comparision. Concentration of PT was determined by measuring the absorbance of the elution fractions at 280 nm (A₂₈₀) and compared to purified PT standards (see table).

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to methods for purifying pertussis toxin (PT). In one embodiment, a method for generating a DNA-protein fusion by covalently bonding a nucleic acid reverse-transcription primer bound to a peptide acceptor to an RNA, translating the RNA to produce a peptide product such that the protein product is covalently bound to the primer, reverse transcribing the RNA to produce a DNA-protein fusion, and testing the fusion product to identify those containing PT binding peptides. The sequence of the peptide is then identified by sequencing. In other embodiments, peptides are provided that have PT-binding capacity and are useful for purifying PT from complex biological fluids. Also provided are peptides bound to solid supports and/or chromatographic media for use in purifying PT from complex biological fluids and methods for carrying out such purifications.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present invention provides reagents and methodologies for a new method for purifying pertussis toxin (PT). As described above, one such method has been demonstrated by Bogdan, et al. In that method, phage display was utilized to identify PT-binding peptides. For the purposes of practicing the present invention, PT includes naturally expressed PT as well as PT detoxified genetically or otherwise (see, for example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,399,076; 6,168,928; 6,018,022; 5,977,304; 5,965,385; 5,856,122; 5,877,298; 5,433,945; 5,358,868; 5,332,583; 5,244,657; 5,221,618; 5,085,862; 4,997,915). In most cases, chemical detoxification is performed following purification of PT. Within this application, all cited references, patents, and patent applications are incorporated herein by reference.

The present invention also relates to the use of recombinant technology to identify PT-binding peptides. The present invention provides advantages over methods already known in the art. In addition, novel peptides useful in purifying PT are provided herein. In one embodiment, a method for generating a DNA-protein fusion by covalently bonding a nucleic acid reverse-transcription primer bound to a peptide acceptor to an RNA, translating the RNA to produce a peptide product such that the protein product is covalently bound to the primer, reverse transcribing the RNA to produce a DNA-protein fusion, and testing the fusion product to identify those containing PT binding peptides. The sequence of the peptide is then identified by sequencing. In certain embodiments, the RNA moiety may be removed from the complex by treatment with an RNA-degrading compound such as RNase H. Photocrosslinking reagents and peptide acceptors are also useful in practicing the present invention. This system and related reagents have been described elsewhere in, for example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,416,950 (Lohse, et al); 6,429,300 (Kurz, et al.); 6,436,665 (Kuimelis, et al.); 6,602,685 (Lohse, et al); and, 6,623,926 (Lohse, et al).

In practicing the invention, a reagent such as a nulceic acid, peptide, fusion, ligand, affinity complex, or the like may be non-diffusively bound or attached to a solid support. In order to be non-diffusively bound or attached, the reagent is chemically or physically combined with the solid support such that the reagent does not move in the presence of liquid from a region of high concentration of reagent to a region of low concentration of reagent. A solid support is any column (i.e., unpacked or packed chromatographic media, column material), bead, test tube, microtiter dish, solid particle (i.e., agarose or sepharose), microchip (i.e., silicon, silicon-glass, or gold chip), membrane (i.e., the membrane of a liposome or vesicle), or other medium to which a reagent may be bound or attached, either directly or indirectly (for example, through other binding partner intermediates such as an antibody, Protein A, Protein G, streptavidin, biotin).

In preferred embodiments, the reagent is a substance or compound having the ability to bind PT. More preferably, the reagent is a substance or compound having the ability to reversibly bind PT. Even more preferably, the reagent is a peptide having the ability to at least bind, and preferably reversibly bind PT within a liquid containing components other than PT. A reagent that reversibly binds PT is one that binds PT under certain conditions (adsorption), and releases PT under other conditions (desorption). For example, the reagent may bind PT when exposed to conditions of neutral pH and release PT following exposure to conditions of acidic or basic pH. Thus, the ability of the reagent to bind PT (i.e., the equilibrium dissociation constant or K_(d)) may be manipulated by altering the conditions under which the reagent is in contact with PT. Other conditions may also be changed, including temperature, ionic strength (i.e., salt concentration), solvent concentration, presence or absence of a competitor reagent/free ligand/analogue, polar properties, among others as is known in the art.

In certain embodiments, an affinity matrix (i.e., a PT-binding peptide bound to a solid support) is utilized to separate a desired component (i.e., PT) from a complex mixture found within a liquid, biological or otherwise. In certain cases, it may be desirable to purify PT from a complex bioloigcal fluid such as a bacterial lysate or other composition in which PT does not comprise the majority of components within the fluid (as determined by SDS-PAGE, for example). In other cases, PT may be isolated from a comopsition that has been partially purified for PT such that the majority of the components within the fluid is represented by PT (a composition consisting of approximately greater than or equal to 50% PT). For example, a composition in which PT consists of about 50% or more of the total protein in the composition as determined by SDS-PAGE would under most circumstances be considered partially purified.

To purify PT, a composition containing PT may be placed into contact with a PT-binding reagent, preferably a reversibly binding PT-binding reagent, that is bound to a solid support for a sufficient period of time such that PT and the PT-binding reagent bind to one another to form a complex. Non-PT components are then washed away. One or more conditions (i.e., pH) are then changed such that the K_(d) of the PT-PT binding reagent bond increases, and PT is released from the complex. Released PT is then collected and prepared for further use. Such a separation may be termed affinity purification and products so purified referred to as being affinity purified.

Chromatographic techniques that are generally considered by those of skill in the art to be less selective than affinity purification techniques may also be used in practicing the present invention. As is known in the art, such techniques may include, for example, size-exclusion chromatography, ion-exchange chromatography, reverse-phrase chromatography, and hydrophobic-interaction chromatography. Any of these techniques (including affinity purification) may be carried out using the proper solid support in a low pressure chromotography (LPC), high pressure liquid chromotography (HPLC), or fast protein liquid chromotography (FPLC) setting, for example. Suitable solid supports and equipment for carrying out such techniques are widely available in the art. In practicing the present invention, both affinity chromatography and the more generalized techniques may be combined as needed to either partially purify a starting material (i.e., complex biological fluid such as a bacterial lysate), purify material, or further purify affinity- or otherwise-purified material (i.e., affinity purified PT).

Peptides have been identified that bind PT and are described herein. Certain peptides have been found to bind PT with high affinity. Such preferred PT binding peptides include:

(pp26-5; SEQ ID NO: 5) RSSHCRHRNCHTITRGNMRIETPNNIRKDA; (pp26-6; SEQ ID NO: 6) STMNTNRMDIQRLMTNHVKRDSSPGSIDA; (pp26-9; SEQ ID NO: 7) RSNVIPLNEVWYDTGWDRPHRSRLSIDDDA; (pp26-15; SEQ ID NO: 8) RSWRDTRKLHMRHYFPLAIDSYWDHTLRDA; (G-9; SEQ ID NO: 9) SGCVKKDELCARWDLVCCEPLECIYTSELYATCG; (G-10; SEQ ID NO: 10) SGCVKKDELCELAVDECCEPLECFQMGHGFKRCG; (G-15; SEQ ID NO: 11) SGCVKKDELCSQSVPMCCEPLECKWFNENYGICGS; and, (G-19; SEQ ID NO: 12) SGCVKKDELCELAIDECCEPLECTKGDLGFRKCG.

Of these, especially preferred peptides include:

(pp26-9; SEQ ID NO: 7) RSNVIPLNEVWYDTGWDRPHRSRLSIDDDA; and, (G-15; SEQ ID NO: 11) SGCVKKDELCSQSVPMCCEPLECKWFNENYGICGS.

Further contemplated are related peptides such as, for example, fragments, variants orthologs, homologues, and derivatives, for example, that possess at least one characteristic or activity (i.e., activity, antigenicity) of the peptide. A fragment comprises a truncation of the sequence (i.e., nucleic acid or polypeptide) at the amino terminus (with or without a leader sequence) and/or the carboxy terminus of the peptide. Fragments may also include variants, orthologs, homologues, and other variants having one or more amino acid additions or substitutions or internal deletions as compared to the parental sequence. In preferred embodiments, truncations and/or deletions comprise about one amino acid, two amino acids, five amino acids, 10 amino acids, 20 amino acids, 30 amino acids, 40 amino acids, 50 amino acids, or more. A variant is a sequence having one or more sequence substitutions, deletions, and/or additions as compared to the parental sequence. Variants may be naturally occurring or artificially constructed. Such variants may be prepared from the corresponding nucleic acid molecules. In preferred embodiments, the variants have from 1 to 3, or from 1 to 5, or from 1 to 10, or from 1 to 15, or from 1 to 20, or from 1 to 25, or from 1 to 30, or from 1 to 40, or from 1 to 50, or more than 50 amino acid substitutions, insertions, additions and/or deletions.

Substitutions may be conservative, or non-conservative, or any combination thereof. Conservative amino acid modifications to the sequence of a polypeptide (and the corresponding modifications to the encoding nucleotides) may produce polypeptides having functional and chemical characteristics similar to those of a parental polypeptide. For example, a “conservative amino acid substitution” may involve a substitution of a native amino acid residue with a non-native residue such that there is little or no effect on the size, polarity, charge, hydrophobicity, or hydrophilicity of the amino acid residue at that position and, in particlar, does not result in decreased immunogenicity. Suitable conservative amino acid substitutions are shown in Table I.

TABLE I Original Preferred Residues Exemplary Substitutions Substitutions Ala Val, Leu, Ile Val Arg Lys, Gln, Asn Lys Asn Gln Gln Asp Glu Glu Cys Ser, Ala Ser Gln Asn Asn Glu Asp Asp Gly Pro, Ala Ala His Asn, Gln, Lys, Arg Arg Ile Leu, Val, Met, Ala, Phe, Norleucine Leu Leu Norleucine, Ile, Val, Met, Ala, Phe Ile Lys Arg, 1,4 Diamino-butyric Acid, Gln, Asn Arg Met Leu, Phe, Ile Leu Phe Leu, Val, Ile, Ala, Tyr Leu Pro Ala Gly Ser Thr, Ala, Cys Thr Thr Ser Ser Trp Tyr, Phe Tyr Tyr Trp, Phe, Thr, Ser Phe Val Ile, Met, Leu, Phe, Ala, Norleucine Leu

A component such as PT may be said to be purified when it has been separated from at least about 50% of the proteins, lipids, carbohydrates, or other materials with which it is originally found (i.e., a bacterial lysate). It is preferred that the component be separated from at least about 95-100%, 90-95%, 80-90%, 70-80%, 60-70% or 50-60% of the total protein content of a composition. In certain embodiments, a purified component is one that is useful in inducing an immune response in a host to whom the component has been administered, either alone or in combination with other agents. The immune response may include the production of antibodies that bind to at least one epitope of PT or Bordetella pertussis, for example, and/or the generation of a cellular immune response against cells expressing PT. The response may be an enhancement of a current immune response by, for example, causing increased antibody production, production of antibodies with increased affinity for the antigen, or an increased cellular response (i.e., increased T cells). Other measures of an immune reponse are known in the art and would be suitable in determining whether or not an immune response has occurred.

PT isolated using the methods described herein may be prepared as pharmaceutical compositions. Preferred pharmaceutical compositions include, for example, PT in a liquid preparations such as a suspensions, syrups, or elixirs. Preferred injectable preparations include, for example, peptides suitable for parental, subcutaneous, intradermal, intramuscular or intravenous administration such as sterile suspensions or emulsions. For example, PT may be prepared as a composition in admixture with a suitable carrier, diluent, or excipient such as sterile water, physiological saline, glucose or the like. The composition may also be provided in lyophilized form for reconstituting, for instance, in isotonic aqueous, saline buffer. Such compositions may also be prepared and utilized as a vaccine as described in, for example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,877,298 and 6,399,076 (Vose, et al.) as well as International App. No. PCT/CA96/00278. PT prepared as indicated herein may also be combined with other antigens from disease-causing organisms such as Corynbacterium (i.e., diphtheria), Clostridium (i.e., tetanus), polio virus (i.e., IPV, OPV), hepatitis virus, Neisseria (i.e., meningitis), Streptococcus, Hemophilus, or other pertussis antigens (i.e., filamentous hemagglutinin, pertactin, and agglutinogens), among others as is known in the art.

A better understanding of the present invention and of its many advantages will be had from the following examples, given by way of illustration.

EXAMPLES Materials and Methods A. Pertussis Toxin (PT)

PT is a heterooligomeric protein complex with a MWr of 109 kD (consists of the 6 subunits S1, S2, S3, 2x S4, S5). A high purity (>99.99%) preparation, formulated as an ammonium sulfate precipitate, was utilized. A PT-specific ligand (asialofetuin) recognizing the native hexameric complex was also utilized. Asialofetuin is available in a solubilized and in sepharose immobilized form.

B. Gumarin Library Selection

Gurmarin is a 35-residue polypeptide from the Asclepiad vine Gymnea sylvestre. It has been utilized as a pharmacological tool in the study of sweet-taste transduction because of its ability to selectively inhibit the neural response to sweet tastants in rats. It has no apparent effect in humans. It has been suggested that the taste-suppressing of gurmarin might be due to the peptide either by binding directly to a sweet-taste receptor or interacting with a downstream target in the sweet-taste-transduction system.

Gurmarin belongs to the family of “knottins”, a group of structurally related proteins, typically less than 40 residues in length. Knottins bind to a diverse range of molecular targets that includes proteins, sugars and lipids but share a common scaffold comprising a small triple-stranded antiparallel β-sheet and disulphide bound framework.

A specialized gurmarin-library was designed with 15 randomized amino acid positions, as shown below:

Wild-type gumarin: (SEQ ID NO: 13) qqCVKKDELCIPYYLDCCEPLECKKVNWWDHKCig Gumarin core: (SEQ ID NO: 14) CVKKDELCXXXXXXCCEPLECXXXXXXXXXC Within the gumarin core sequence, X represents any amino acid. This library was validated to yield high affinity binders against protein targets. The gurmarin library combines a set of advantages that makes it the best choice for a selection against the PT-toxin for at least the following reasons: limited flexibility. makes up for high entropic cost in conforming to target topology; theoretically fewer amino acids for higher affinities than in linear libraries; resistant to proteases; and susceptibility to redox-elution conditions in downstream applications. The gurmarin library was constructed using process shown in FIG. 1.

-   -   1. PCR of starting oligonucleotides

Three gel-purified oligos were used to construct the gurmarin library with two randomized loops. 1 nmole of gurmarin template (≈ca. 6·10¹⁴ sequences) 5′- AGT GGC TCA AGC TCA GGA TCA GGC TGC GTC AAG AAA GAC GAG CTC TGC NNS NNS NNS NNS NNS NNS TGC TGT GAG CCC CTC GAG TGC NNS NNS NNS NNS NNS NNS NNS NNS NNS TGC GGC AGC GGC AGT TCT GGG TCT AGC-3′ (SEQ ID NO: 15), was amplified for 6 rounds of PCR (94° C., 1 min; 65° C., 1 min; 72° C., 1 min) using 1 μM of the 5′-His-Tag Primer 5′-TAA TAC GAC TCA CTA TAG GGA CAA TTA CTA TTT ACA ATT ACA ATG CAC CAT CAC CAT CAC CAT AGT GGC TCA AGC TCA GGA TCA-3′ (SEQ ID NO: 16) and 1 μM of the 3′-Primer 5′-TTT TAA ATA GCG GAT GCT ACT AGG CTA GAC CCA GAA CTG CCG CT-3′ (SEQ ID NO: 17) using Taq-polymerase and analyzed on a 2% agarose gel, which indicated a representative library had been constructed.

-   -   2. In vitro transcription

dsDNA was transcribed into RNA using the RiboMax Express In vitro transcription kit from Promega. After incubation for 45 min at 37° C., DNase I was added and the incubation at 37° C. continued for an additional 15 minutes. This mixture was subjected to a phenol/chloroform extraction. Excess of NTPs was removed by NAP-5 gel filtration (Pharmacia). RNA was analyzed on a 6%-TBU-gel, and incidacted that the dsDNA had been efficiently transcribed.

-   -   3. Chemical coupling of RNA and puromycin-oligonucleotide linker

Purified RNA will be annealed (85° C., 1 min cool down to 25° C. at a ramp of 0.3° C./s) to a 1.5-fold excess of puromycin-oligonucleotide linker PEG2A18: 5′-psoralen-UAG CGG AUG C A₁₈ (PEG-9)₂ CC puromycin (SEQ ID NO: 18; nucleotides shown in italics represent 2′-O-methyl-derivatives). The covalent coupling is performed by illumination for 15 min at RT (RT) with UV-light (365 nm). The reaction product was analyzed on 6%-TBU gel and indicated the linking reaction had proceeded efficiently.

-   -   4. In vitro translation

Ligated RNA was translated using the rabbit reticulocyte lysate from Promega in the presence of 15 μCi ³⁵S-methionine (1000 Ci/mmole). After a 30 min incubation at 30° C., KCl and MgCl₂ were added to a final concentration of 530 mM and 150 mM respectively and a sample was analyzed on 4-20% Tris/glycine-SDS-PAGE. The gel indicated that the translation reaction was successful.

-   -   5. Oligo-dT purification

Molecules (mRNA-protein fusions) were isolated by incubation with oligo dT magnetic beads (Miltenyi) in incubation buffer (100 mM Tris-HCl pH 8.0, 10 mM EDTA, 1 mM NaCl and 0.25% Triton X-100) for 5 min at 4° C. PROfusion™ molecules were isolated by filtration through MiniMACS-columns (Miltenyi), washing with incubation buffer and elution with water. A sample was analyzed on 4-20% Tris/glycine-SDS-PAGE, and indicated that the reaction was successful.

-   -   6. Reverse transcription

A corresponding cDNA strand was generated by reverse transcription with SuperScript II Reverse Transcriptase (Gibco BRL) under the manufacture's recommended conditions using a 5-fold excess of 3′-Primer. A sample was analyzed on 4-20% Tris/glycine-SDS-PAGE, and indicated that the reaction was successsul.

-   -   7. His-tag purification

Reverse transcribed PROfusion™ molecules were mixed with Ni-NTA-agarose (50 μl/10 pmole PROfusion™) (QIAGEN) in HBS buffer (20 mM HEPES pH 7.0, 150 mM NaCl, 0.025% Triton X-100, 100 μg/ml sheared salmon sperm DNA, 1 mg/ml BSA) and incubated for 60 min at RT under gentle shaking Ni-NTA was then filtrated, washed with HBS/5 mM imidazole and PROfusions™ were eluted with HBS/150 mM imidazole. A sample was analyzed on 4-20% Tris/glycine-SDS-PAGE, and indicated that the purification was successful. 20 pmole (≈ca. 1·10¹³ sequences) of PROfusion™ molecules will be used as input for each selection.

B. Linear peptide library PP26 for selection

A specialized linear peptide library PP26 with 26 randomized amino acid positions was also designed using the following construct:

T7-TMV-MGRGS-HHHHHH-ARS-XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX-DANAPK-ASAI (SEQ ID NO: 19) . The sequence of the protein portion (50 amino acids in length) is shown in the single letter amino acid code, where X represents any amino acid. Portions of the library that are not translated include: (a) T7: the T7-promoter for optimal in vitro transcription of library; and, (b) TMV: the Tabaco Mosaic Virus translation initiation sequence for perfect in vitro translation of library. MGRGS represents a structural, flexible linker. HHHHHH (SEQ ID NO: 20) represents a His₆-tag for efficient affinity purification of PROfusion™ library. ARS represents a second structural, flexible linker DANAPK (SEQ ID NO: 21) represents a third structural, flexible linker. ASAI represents an optimized linker for efficient coupling with puromycin-acceptor-molecule.

This library was validated to yield high affinity binders against protein targets. The PP26 library combines two major advantages that makes it an excellent choice for the selection of chromatographic affinity reagents: high flexibility: can conform to the topology of the target; and robustness due to the absence of a conserved structure the resulting binders are resistant to harsh biophysical conditions.

-   -   1. PCR of starting oligonucleotides

Three gel-purified oligos were used to construct the gurmarin library with two randomized loops. 1 nmole of PP26 template (≈ca. 6·10¹⁴ sequences) 5′-AGC GGA TGC CTT CGG AGC GTT AGC GTC SNN SNN SNN SNN SNN SNN SNN SNN SNN SNN SNN SNN SNN SNN SNN SNN SNN SNN SNN SNN SNN SNN SNN SNN SNN SNN AGA TCT AGC ATG ATG ATG ATG A-3′ (SEQ ID NO: 21), was amplified for 6 rounds of PCR (94° C., 1 min; 65° C., 1 min; 72° C., 1 min) using 1 μM of the 5′-His-Tag Primer 5′-TAA TAC GAC TCA TAG GGA CAA TTA CTA TTT ACA ATT ACA ATG GGA CGT GGC TCA CAT CAT CAT CAT CAT CAT GCT AGA TCT -3′ (SEQ ID NO: 22) and 1 μM of the 3′-Primer 5′-AA TTA AAT AGC GGA TGC CTT CGG AGC GTT AGC -3′ (SEQ ID NO: 23) using Taq-polymerase and confirmed by analysis on a 2% agarose gel.

-   -   2. In vitro transcription

dsDNA was transcribed into RNA using the RiboMax Express In vitro transcription kit from Promega. After incubation for 45 min at 37° C., DNase I was added and the incubation at 37° C. continued for an additional 15 minutes. This mixture was subjected to a phenol/chloroform extraction. Excess of NTPs was removed by NAP-5 gel filtration (Pharmacia). Transcription of RNA was confirmed by analysis on a 6%-TBU-gel.

-   -   3. Chemical coupling of RNA and puromycin-oligonucleotide linker

Purified RNA will be annealed (85° C., 1 min→cool down to 25° C. at a ramp of 0.3° C./s) to a 1.5-fold excess of puromycin-oligonucleotide linker PEG2A18: 5′-psoralen-UAG CGG AUG C A₁₈ (PEG-9)₂ CC puromycin (nucleotides shown in italics represent 2′-O-methyl-derivatives; SEQ ID NO: 17). The covalent coupling is performed by illumination for 15 min at RT (RT) with UV-light (365 nm). The reaction was confirmed by analysis of the reaction product on 6%-TBU gel.

-   -   4. In vitro translation

Ligated RNA was translated using the rabbit reticulocyte lysate from Promega in the presence of 15 μCi ³⁵S-methionine (1000 Ci/mmole). After a 30 min incubation at 30° C., KCl and MgCl₂ were added to a final concentration of 530 mM and 150 mM respectively and translation confirmed by analysis on 4-20% Tris/glycine-SDS-PAGE.

-   -   5. Oligo-dT purification

Molecules (mRNA-protein fusions) were isolated by incubation with oligo dT magnetic beads (Miltenyi) in incubation buffer (100 mM Tris-HCl pH 8.0, 10 mM EDTA, 1 mM NaCl and 0.25% Triton X-100) for 5 min at 4° C. PROfusion™ molecules were isolated by filtration through MiniMACS-columns (Miltenyi), washing with incubation buffer and elution with water. A sample was analyzed to confirm the reaction on 4-20% Tris/glycine-SDS-PAGE.

-   -   6. Reverse transcription

A corresponding cDNA strand was generated by reverse transcription with SuperScript II Reverse Transcriptase (Gibco BRL) under the manufacture's recommended conditions using a 5-fold excess of 3′-Primer. A sample was analyzed to confirm transcription on 4-20% Tris/glycine-SDS-PAGE.

-   -   7. His-tag purification

Reverse transcribed PROfusion™ molecules were mixed with Ni-NTA-agarose (50 μl/10 pmole PROfusion™) (QIAGEN) in HBS buffer (20 mM HEPES pH 7.0, 150 mM NaCl, 0.025% Triton X-100, 100 μg/ml sheared salmon sperm DNA, 1 mg/ml BSA) and incubated for 60 min at RT under gentle shaking Ni-NTA was then filtrated, washed with HBS/5 mM imidazole and PROfusions™ were eluted with HBS/150 mM imidazole. A sample was analyzed to confirm the reaction on 4-20% Tris/glycine-SDS-PAGE. 20 pmole (≈ca. 1·10¹³ sequences) of PROfusion™ molecules will be used as input for each selection.

C. Target Preparation

In the PROfusion™ technology highly diverse substance libraries, which are composed of up to 10¹³ different PROfusion™ molecules (mRNA-Protein fusions), are selected against a wanted target (protein, sugar or lipid) for high affinity binding. In this process the targets will typically be immobilized to solid phases. These solid phase are preferentially magnetic beads that allow fast and efficient handling during the selection process and give low background.

-   -   1. Test targets for nuclease activity

Targets—5 μg PRP and 0.5 μg PT—were contacted with 0.12 pmole radioactive labeled PROfusion™ library molecules at 4° C. and RT (RT) followed by an incubation for 1 h and 16 h respectively. The integrity of PROfusion™ molecules after incubation was confirmed by 4-20% Tris/glycine SDS-PAGE and subsequent autoradiography. Degradation of PROfusion™ molecules was not detected, thus demonstrating that the targets are free of nucleases.

-   -   2. Test targets for protease activity

Targets—5 μg PRP and 0.5 μg PT—were contacted with 1 μg purified GST-protein at 4° C. and RT followed by an incubation for 1 h and 16 h respectively. The integrity of GST-protein after incubation was analyzed by 4-20% Tris/glycine SDS-PAGE and subsequent Coomassie Brilliant Blue staining Degradation of GST-protein was not detected, thus demonstrating that the targets are free of proteases.

D. Immobilization of PT

-   -   1. Reconstitution of PT

500 μl of the precipitate (2,26 mg/ml) as delivered by Aventis Pasteur were centrifuged at 21.400×g for 45 min at RT. The supernatant was discarded; the pellet was dissolved in 1100 μl CTW-buffer (0.286 g NaHCO₃, 0.170 g Na₂CO₃, 50 μl Tween-80, add to 50 ml MilliQ H₂O). To check the quality of this PT preparation a dilution series (250 ng, 500 ng, 1 μg, 2.5 μg, 5 μg and 15 μg) was separated on a 4-12% BisTris SDS-PAGE, run in MES-buffer). At least 4 bands could be clearly separated, corresponding to the subunits S1 (28 kD), S2 (23 kD), S3 (22 kD) and S4 (11.7 kD). The smallest protein S5 (9.3 kD) in the PT-complex could not be seen. Probably, this band co-migrates in this gel system with the only slightly larger S4 subunit.

-   -   2. Coupling strategy

Several methods were established for immobilization of proteins to magnetic particles. In principle two major strategies are used: primary amino groups and sulfhydryl groups of the target protein are tethered covalently to epoxy-activated magnetic beads (Dynal) forming stabile amide or thioether bounds. This reaction is performed in the presence of ammonium sulfate to promote the reaction and typically results in a very efficient coupling of the target protein. Anyhow, certain proteins seem to undergo structural changes under these conditions resulting in a bound but not native and/or inactive conformation; and, primary amino groups and sulfhydryl groups of the target protein are tethered covalently to NHS-ester activated biotin derivatives (Pierce) subsequently followed by an immobilization of now biotinylated protein to streptavidin magnetic beads (Dynal).

Typically, covalent coupling of a target protein to epoxy beads is preferred if reaction conditions are suitable for a given target since this method guarantees that only the target is presented on the beads. In the case of a biotin/streptavidin coupling the beads also present streptavidin that could lead to the enrichment of anti-streptavidin binder during a selection. Therefore, Phylos has established specialized methods to preclear PROfusion™ libraries for streptavidin binders to get high quality results for a given target. But in total a covalent coupling typically results in a faster enrichment of target specific binders. In the specific case of PT it is most reasonable to start with a covalent coupling strategy since it is known that ammonium sulfate incubation does not influence the functionality of the PT-protein.

-   -   3. Optimization of coupling conditions to epoxy beads (Dynal)

The coupling conditions for PT were optimized in several independent experiments (different ammonium sulfate concentrations (0.5-2.0 M) and different beads/target-ratios were applied, as well as time- and temperature dependency (2 min-16 h; 8° C.-RT). Best results were observed for the following reaction condition: A final volume of 300 μl, consisting of 100 μg PT, 3.3·10⁸ beads and a final ammonium sulfate concentration of 1 M was incubated in a time course for 2 min to 60 min at RT in a 2 ml Eppendorf tube. After incubation the tube was placed in a magnet for 4 min to pull down the beads and the supernatant was stored for subsequent gel analysis. The beads were washed once with 1 ml HEPES-buffer (20 mM HEPES pH 7.0, 150 mM NaCl, 0.025% Triton X100) and an aliquot of beads (5% of the beads) were analyzed on a 4-12% BisTris SDS-PAGE to determine the amount of associated protein. It was found that coupling of PT to epoxy beads occurs very efficiently even after only a two minute reaction.

-   -   4. Semi-preparative coupling of PT to epoxy beads

2.6 mg dry epoxy-activated beads (M-270, Dynal) (˜1.7·10⁸ beads) were resuspended in 1 ml phosphate buffer (19 mM NaH₂PO₄, 81 mM Na₂HPO₄, pH 7.4) and equilibrated for 10 min. The equilibration was repeated two times with fresh phosphate buffer. Subsequently the beads were directly used in a coupling reaction with 480 pmole reconstituted PT (1 μg/μl in CTW buffer) in 1 M ammonium sulfate (final volume 157 μl). After incubation at RT for 15 min under continuos agitation the beads were washed with 300 μl HBS-buffer, followed by three washing steps with HEPES-buffer and finally resuspended in 240 μl HEPES-buffer and stored in aliquots at 4° C. The effectiveness of the coupling reaction was checked by a SDS-polyacrylamidgel-analysis of all wash fractions, the supernatant of the coupling reaction and the fraction of PT which was removable from the washed beads by SDS-loading-buffer.

-   -   5. Analysis of epoxy-bead immobilized PT for its binding to         asialofetuin

40 μl of the PT-derivatized beads were incubated with 320 pmole asialofetuin in HEPES-buffer (20 mM HEPES pH 7.0, 150 mM NaCl, 0.025% Triton-X100) for 1 h at RT (final reaction volume 200 μl), washed 2-7 times with 200 μl HEPES-buffer and finally resuspended in 30 μl HEPES-buffer. 50% of the beads were analyzed on SDS-PAGE to confirm the reaction.

Tests of these PT-derivatized beads after one week of storage at 4° C. showed a reduced asialofetuin binding capacity indicating that the material looses its performance by long term storage. Thus, PT-derivatized beads have to be prepared fresh and quality controlled for each selection round. Since this procedure is quite time consuming, an alternative immobilization strategy involving a biotinylation of PT was evaluated.

-   -   6. Semi-preparative biotinylation of PT

A biotinylation reaction was performed by incubation of 0.4 mg (˜3.65 nmole) reconstituted PT (1 μg/μl in CTW buffer) with 25 μg EZ-link-sulfo-NHS-LC-LC-biotin (PIERCE) in a final volume of 740 μl 50 mM HEPES, 150 mM NaCl, 0.2% Triton-X100. After an incubation period of 2 h on ice under permanent agitation the biotinylation reaction was quenched by addition of 74 μl 1 M Tris/HCl pH 7.0. Subsequently, the protein was dialyzed against HEPES-buffer (20 mM HEPES pH 7.0, 150 mM NaCl, 0.025% Triton X100) at 4° C. using a Slide-a-lyzer cassette (PIERCE, 3500 MWCO 0.5-3 ml) to remove the excess of biotinylation reagent. The biotinylated PT was removed from the dialysis cassette and stored in aliquots at −20° C.

-   -   7. Quality control of biotinylated PT using a BIAcore instrument

The quality of the biotinylation reaction was controlled by analysis of the interaction of biotinylated PT with a BIAcore streptavidin chip using BIAcore instrument (BIAcore 2000). It was also possible to detect the binding of asialofetuin to chip immobilized biotinylated PT (binding signal of ˜400 RU to immobilized PT; unspecific binding of ˜100 RU to the control cell).

F. Analysis of biotinylated PT for binding to streptavidin magnetic beads and to asialofetuin

-   -   1. Binding of biotinylated PT to streptavidin magnetic beads

20 μl streptavidin magnetic beads (Dynal) were incubated with 20 pmole of biotinylated PT in 1× HBS-buffer (20 mM HEPES pH 7.0, 150 mM NaCl, 1 mg/ml BSA, 100 μg/ml salmon sperm DNA, 0.025% Triton-X100) for 1 h at RT, washed 3× with HEPES-buffer (20 mM HEPES pH 7.0, 150 mM NaCl, 0.025% Triton X100) and resuspended in 16 μl SDS-gel-loading buffer. 8 μl were analyzed by SDS-PAGE to confirm conjugation. In a negative control experiment under comparable conditions, free PT (not biotinylated) did not interact with streptavidin magnetic beads.

-   -   2. Binding of asialofetuin to bead immobilized biotinylated PT

20 μl streptavidin magnetic beads (Dynal) were incubated with 20 pmole of biotinylated PT in 1× HBS-buffer for 1 h at RT, washed 4× with HEPES-buffer (20 mM HEPES pH 7.0, 150 mM NaCl, 0.025% Triton X100). Subsequently, beads with immobilized biotinylated PT were incubated with 40 pmole asialofetuin in HEPES-buffer for 1 h at RT. After 4 washes with HEPES-buffer beads were resuspended in 16 μl SDS-gel-loading buffer. 8 μl were analyzed by SDS-PAGE to confirm binding. A simultaneous incubation of biotinylated PT and asialofetuin to the streptavidin magnetic beads instead of serial incubations resulted as well in binding of asialofetuin to biotinylated PT. In a comparable control experiment, it was determined that asialofetuin did not interact with the streptavidin magnetic beads non-specifically. Similar quality controls with biotinylated PT that has been stored for one week at −20° C. showed no significant decrease in streptavidin and/or asialofetuin binding competence. Therefore, biotinylated PT was used as standard target in subsequent selections.

Example 2 Isolation of Peptides Selective for PT or PRP

The gurmarin PROfusion™ library and the targets PT and PRP immobilized to magnetic beads were then contacted under strictly controlled stringency conditions. These conditions allow predominately those variants of the PROfusion™ library showing elevated affinity for PT or PRP, respectively, to bind to the targets. After extensive washes that dilute unwanted, non-specific binding variants, the bound PROfusion™-molecules are eluted from the beads and are subjected to a new PROfusion™-formation cycle as shown in (FIG. 2). By successive rounds of selection and re-amplification along with a fine adaptation of stringency conditions a population of highly specific binding molecules to the given target is enriched (10). Subsequently the DNA-portion of this population is cloned into an E. coli plasmid vector to isolate individual variants that can be analyzed in detail by sequencing.

Six successive selection rounds against immobilized PT have been performed with the gurmarin PROfusion™-library. According to the perception described above, biotinylated PT immobilized to streptavidin beads has been used in these selections (Table 1). In selection round 4, a low background binding of the gurmarin pool to streptavidin beads has been observed which might indicate a starting enrichment of bead and/or streptavidin binding gurmarin variants. Therefore, in the following fifth selection round two individual selections were performed using biotin/streptavidin immobilized PT as target and epoxy bead coupled PT, respectively. In both selections, a clear background corrected enrichment of target binding was observed (Table 1). This trend has been confirmed in the sixth selection round using biotin/streptavidin immobilized PT, clearly indicating an accumulation of PT-binding variants (Table 1).

A. Cloning of selected gurmarin binder pools

The gurmarin DNA-pools resulting from selection rounds R4, R5 and R6 were cloned into the pCR®2.1-TOPO®-vector using the TOPO TA Cloning® kit (Invitrogen). The gurmarin DNA was ligated to the pCR®2.1-TOPO®-vector in different concentrations. For 6 μl reactions, 0.5 μl, 2 μl and 4 μl of the gurmarin pool DNA were used respectively. The ligation was performed according to the manufacturer's instructions.

Two (2) μl of these ligations were transformed into 20 μl of the E. coli Top 10 F′ competent cells (Invitrogen) and spread out on LB plates containing 50 μg/ml Kanamycin and 0.5% Glucose. From each of these transformations 150 single colonies were picked to a masterplate containing 50 μg/ml Kanamycin and 0,5% Glucose to repress T7 dependent protein expression and a second plate containing X-Gal and IPTG for a blue white screening. For each transformation, 96 of the colonies from the repressed masterplate corresponding to the white colonies from the blue white test were used to inoculate a 96 well LB agar plate and 500 μl liquid cultures (LB containing 50 μg/ml Kanamycin and 0,5% Glucose). The 96 well agar plates were sent out for commercial sequencing service. The liquid cultures were mixed with 500 μl 40% Glycerol, frozen in liquid nitrogen and stored at −80° C.

From each individual clone, plasmid DNA was prepared and subjected to an automated DNA-sequencing procedure using a M13-primer 5′-TGT AAA ACG ACG GCC AGT-3′ (SEQ ID NO: 24). As shown in FIGS. 3-8, a single gurmarin sequence variant begins to be significantly enriched in selection round 4 and represents >90% of all sequences after selection round 6. This clearly indicates that this variant probably binds with the highest affinity to PT. In addition to this most prominent sequence variant, a variety of other gurmarin sequences have been enriched that partially share common sequence motifs. This finding indicates that these other sequences show affinity towards PT as well.

B. PP26 affinity selection against immobilized PT

In parallel to the gurmarin selection six successive selection rounds against immobilized PT have been performed with the PP26 PROfusion™-library. Biotinylated PT immobilized to streptavidin beads has been used in these selections (Table 2). In selection round 4, a low background binding of the gurmarin pool to streptavidin beads has been observed which might indicate a starting enrichment of bead and/or streptavidin binding PP26 variants. Therefore, in the following fifth selection round two individual selections were performed using on the one hand biotin/streptavidin immobilized PT as target and on the other hand epoxy bead coupled PT. In both selections a clear background corrected enrichment of target binding have been detected (Table 2). This trend was confirmed in the sixth selection round using biotin/streptavidin immobilized PT, thus, clearly indicating an accumulation of PT-binding variants.

C. Cloning of selected PP26 binder pools

The PP26 DNA-pools resulting from selection rounds R4, R5 and R6 were cloned into the pCR®2.1-TOPO®-vector using the TOPO TA Cloning® kit (Invitrogen). The PP26 DNA was ligated to the pCR®2.1-TOPO®-vector in different concentrations. For 6 μl reactions 0,5 μl/2 μl and 4 μl of the gurmarin pool DNA were used respectively. The ligation was performed according to the manufacturer's instructions. 2 μl of these ligations were transformed into 20 μl of the E. coli Top 10 F′ competent cells (Invitrogen) and spread out on LB plates containing 50 μg/ml Kanamycin and 0,5% Glucose. From each of these transformations 150 single colonies were picked to a masterplate containing 50 μg/ml Kanamycin and 0,5% Glucose to repress T7 dependant protein expression and a second plate containing X-Gal and IPTG for a blue white screening. For each Transformation 96 of the colonies from the repressed masterplate corresponding to the white colonies from the blue white test were used to inoculate a 96 well LB agar plate and 500 μl liquid cultures (LB containing 50 μg/ml Kanamycin and 0,5% Glucose). The 96 well agar plates were sent out for commercial sequencing service. The liquid cultures were mixed with 500 μl 40% Glycerol, frozen in liquid nitrogen and stored at −80° C.

D. Sequencing of individual binder variants

From each individual clone plasmid DNA was prepared and subjected to an automated DNA-sequencing procedure using a M13-primer 5′-TGT AAA ACG ACG GCC AGT-3′ (SEQ ID NO: 24). As shown in FIGS. 9-14, two main variants have been enriched during the selection rounds. Both variants share a common conserved sequence motif. This finding indicates that the side chains of the conserved amino acids putatively establish a direct interaction with a certain PT surface region. Furthermore, at least 4 additional variants have been enriched at lesser extent. Since these variants do not comprise the above mentioned conserved sequence motif it can be concluded that these variants potentially bind to different surface regions of PT.

E. Validation of selected PT-binding gurmarin- and PP26-variants

Since the selections were performed with PROfusion™-molecules—mRNA-peptide-fusions—it is necessary in the first step of the post selection analysis to check the free peptides for their ability to bind do the target. In the next step, those variants that establish their target binding through the peptide and not the nucleic acid portion are subjected to a specificity test in the presence of AP process fluids. By this measure, those variants should be identified that are most suitable to the AP process.

-   -   1. Test of free peptides for their binding capacity to PT

For a qualitative binding assay of free peptides of single enriched gurmarin- and PP26-binder variants the TNT T7 coupled Reticolocyte Lysat System (Promega #L5540) was used, as follows. DNA of single binder candidates was amplified by colony-PCR out of the glycerol stock of binder clones. To avoid mutations during PCR a proofreading polymerase (Pwo) was used. The PCR products were analyzed on a 2% agarose gel. 5.0 μl of PCR product were used as template for coupled in vitro transcription/translation reaction using the TNT system in a final volume of 53 μl according to the manufacturers instructions. Expressed binder candidates were subsequently purified by Ni-NTA chelat chromatography (QIAGEN). Radioactively labeled His-tag purified binder candidates (˜40-70 fmol of each peptide) were incubated with biotinylated PT immobilized on streptavidin-magnetic beads for 1 h at RT. The beads were washed 3× with HBS-buffer and then resuspended in water and analyzed by liquid scintillation counting. In control experiments each candidate was incubated with streptavidin beads only (without PT). The best binder candidates of PP26 and gurmarin were identified (Tables 3 and 4, below) and were subjected to the following specificity test.

-   -   2. Specificity test of gurmarin and PP26 variants in the         presence of process fluids

For a semi-quantitative binding and specificity assay of free gurmarin and PP26 peptides in the presence of Aventis Pasteur process fluids the peptides were first produced as PROfusion™, purified to homogeneity and than transferred to free peptides by an S1-nuclease digest. For amplification of a sufficient amount of DNA of the selected binder variants (10 Gurmarin clones and 7 PP26 clones) a PCR was performed using a PCR product from TNT expression as template. After 10 cycles of PCR (94° C., 30 sec; 60° C., 30 sec; 72° C., 30 sec) the samples were analyzed on a 2% agarose gel. dsDNA (PCR product) was transcribed into RNA using the RiboMax Express In vitro transcription kit from Promega. After incubation for 45 min at 37° C., DNase I was added and the incubation at 37° C. continued for an additional 15 minutes. This mixture was subjected to a phenol/chloroform extraction. Excess of NTPs was removed by NAP-5 gel filtration (Pharmacia). RNA was analyzed on a 6%-TBU-gel.

Purified RNA was annealed (85° C., 1 min cool down to 25° C. at a ramp of 0.3° C./s) to a 1.5-fold excess of puromycin-oligonucleotide linker PEG2A18: 5′-psoralen-UA G CGG AUG C A₁₈ (PEG-9)₂ CC puromycin (nucleotides shown in italics represent 2′-O-methyl-derivatives; SEQ ID NO: 17). The covalent coupling was performed by illumination for 15 min at RT (RT) with UV-light (365 nm). The reaction product was analyzed on 6%-TBU gel. Ligated RNA was translated using the rabbit reticulocyte lysate from Promega in the presence of 15 μCi ³⁵5-methionine (1000 Ci/mmole). After a 30 min incubation at 30° C., KCl and MgCl₂ were added to a final concentration of 530-mM and 150 mM respectively and a sample was analyzed on 4-20% Tris/glycine-SDS-PAGE. mRNA-protein fusions (PROfusions™) were isolated by incubation with oligo dT magnetic beads (Miltenyi) in incubation buffer (100 mM Tris-HCl pH 8.0, 10 mM EDTA, 1 mM NaCl and 0.25% Triton X-100) for 5 min at 4° C. PROfusion™ molecules were isolated by filtration through MiniMACS-columns (Miltenyi), washing with incubation buffer and elution with water. A sample was analyzed on 4-20% Tris/glycine-SDS-PAGE.

To remove the mRNA part of the mRNA-protein fusions the oligo dT purified molecules were digested with S1-Nuclease (S1-Nuclease cleaves the DNA-part of the Puromycin linker) according to the manufacturers instructions. Samples of the PROfusion molecules before and after S1-digest were analyzed on 4-12% Bis/Tris SDS-PAGE. Streptavidin beads (M280 Dynal) were washed in HBS and incubated o/n at 4° C. Biotinylated PT (900 pmol) was incubated with 900 μl Strepbeads (preblocked in HBS buffer) for 1 h at RT. After immobilization of PT, the beads were blocked with biotin (2 mM biotin in HBS) for 1 min and immediately washed 4× with HBS buffer to remove any traces of biotin. Control beads (without PT) were blocked with biotin in the same way.

For binding analysis of the selected peptides several parallel reactions were set up, as follows: negative control only with biotin blocked Streptavidin beads; positive control with PT immobilized on Streptavidin beads; background control with biotin blocked beads in combination with ¼ volume Aventis Pasteur sample-solution C (flow through 1. AF column); mix of PT in combination with ¼ volume of sample-solution C; background control with biotin blocked beads in combination with ¼ volume of Aventis Pasteur sample-solution E (culture medium); mix of PT in combination with ¼ volume of sample-solution E; reactions 3-6 were performed to investigate the capacity of the selected peptides to bind PT specifically in the presence of samples provided by Aventis Pasteur. Binding was done for 1 h at RT in the presence of a protease inhibitor mix (complete mini™ ROCHE), to avoid degradation of the peptides. After washing with HBS solution the beads were analyzed by scintillation counting.

As shown in Table 3, three (#9, 10 19) of the ten tested gurmarin variants show a target binding to PT that is not influenced by any of the AP process fluids. These variants are the most promising candidates for affinity chromatographic applications within the AP process.

As shown in Table 4 three (#5, 6 9) of the seven tested PP26 variants show target binding to PT that is not reduced by the AP process fluids. These variants are the most promising candidates for further affinity chromatographic applications within the AP process.

TABLE 3 Post selection analysis of gurmarin-variants* test test SEQ # seq # peptide sequence 1 2 ID  1 194227 MHHHHHHSGSSSGSGCVKKDELCAGSVGHCCEPLECLRRFLNLRWCGSGSSGSS — n.d. 26  2 194238 MHHHHHHSGSSSGSGCVKKDELCIVMRAPCCEPLECLRRYMLKHMCGSGSSGSS — n.d. 27  3 194239 MHHHHHHSGSSSGSGCVKKDELCKAFRYSCCEPLECLRKWLKARFCGSGSSGSS — n.d. 28  4 194251 MHHHHHHSGSSSGSGCVKKDELCLRSSIDCCEPLECLYKWMQRRLCGSGSSGSS — n.d. 29  5 194210 MHHHHHHSGSSSGSGCVKKDELCWPRRHKCCEPLECLLEMLERKRCGSGSSGSS — n.d. 30  6 194261 MHHHHHHSGSSSGSGCVKKDELCMSMACVCCEPLECKYHGYFWLCGSGSSGSS — n.d. 31  7 194214 MHHHHHHSGSSSGSGCVKKDELCAVWFDVCCEPLECTYQSGYYWLCGSGSSGSS — n.d. 32  8 194226 MHHHHHHSGSSSGSGCVKKDELCEPWYWRCCEPLECVYTSGYYYSCGSGSSGSS — n.d. 33  9 194259 MHHHHHHSGSSSGSGCVKKDELCARWDLVCCEPLECIYTSELYATCGSGSSGSS ✓ ✓ 34 12 194297 MHHHHHHSGSSSGSGCVKKDELCVFYFPNCCEPLECRWVNDNYGWCGSGSSGSS ✓ — 35 13 194330 MHHHHHHSGSSSGSGCVKKDELCMSMACVCCEPLECKYHGYFWLCGSGSSGSS ✓ — 36 14 194479 MHHHHHHSGSSSGSGCVKKDELCTTASKSCCEPLECKWTNEHFGTCGSGSSGSS ✓ — 37 15 194511 MHHHHHHSGSSSGSGCVKKDELCSQSVPMCCEPLECKWFNENYGICGSGSSGSS ✓ — 38 16 194533 MHHHHHHSGSSSGSGCVKKDELCARWDLVCCEPLECIYTSELYATCGSGSSGSS ✓ — 39 17 194486 MHHHHHHSGSSSGSGCVKKDELCARWDLVCCEPLECLGHGLGYAYCGSGSSGSS — n.d. 40 18 194668 MHHHHHHSGSSSGSGCVKKDELCMWSREVCCEPLECYYTGWYWACGSGSSGSS — — 41 10 194264 MHHHHHHSGSSSGSGCVKKDELCELAVDECCEPLECFQMGHGFKRCGSGSSGSS ✓ ✓ 42 19 194737 MHHHHHHSGSSSGSGCVKKDELCELAVDECCEPLECTKGDLGFRKCGSGSSGSS ✓ ✓ 43 20 194716 MHHHHHHSGSSSGSGCVKKDELCELAIDVCCEPLECLGHGLGYAYCGSGSSGSS ✓ n.d. 44 21 194720 MHHHHHHSGSSSGSGCVKKDELCELAIDVCCEPLECLGHGLGYAYCGSGSSGSS — — 45 11 194328 MHHHHHHSGSSSGSGCVKKDELCNWVTPMRCEPLECLGHGLGYAYCGSGSSGSS ✓ n.d. 46 *Test 1 represents the target binding ability of free peptides (0) and test 2 represents the binding specificity of variants in the presence of AP process fluids (0). Variants that are positive in both assays are 9, 10, and 19.

TABLE 4 Post selection analysis of PP26-variants* test test SEQ # seq # peptide sequence 1 2 ID  1 197569 MGRGSHHHHHHARSDWELSPPHVAITTRHLINCTDGPLLRDANAPKASAI — n.d. 47  2 197536 MGRGSHHHHHHARSLNGESTSNILTTSRKVTEWTGYTASVDANAPKASAI — n.d. 48  3 197611 MGRGSHHHHHHARSQVTWHHLADTVTTKNRKCTDSYIGWNXANAPKASAI — n.d. 49  4 197530 MGRGSHHHHHHARSIIVIHNAIQTHTPHQVSIWCPPKHNRDANAPKASAI — n.d. 50  5 197557 MGRGSHHHHHHARSSHCRHRNCHTITRGNMRIETPNNIRKDANAPKASAI ✓ ✓ 51  6 197596 MGRGSHHHHHHARSTMNTNRMDIQRLMTNHVKRDSSPGSIDANAPKASAI ✓ ✓ 52  7 197552 MGRGSHHHHHHARSLSALRRTERTWNTIHQGHHLEWYPPADANAPKASAI — n.d. 53  8 197541 MGRGSHHHHHHARSWTSMQGETLWRTDRLATTKTSMSHPPDANAPKASAI — n.d. 54  9 197588 MGRGSHHHHHHARSNVIPLNEVWYDTGWDRPHRSRLSIDDDANAPKASAI ✓ ✓ 55 10 197635 MGRGSHHHHHHARSCLATRNGFVMNTDRGTYVKRPTVLQDANAPKASAI ✓ — 56 11 197797 MGRGSHHHHHHARSWGLSGTQTWKITKLATRLHHPEFETNDANAPKASAI — n.d. 57 12 197888 MGRGSHHHHHHARSWRWHNWGLSDTVASHPDASNSLNMMYDANAPKASAN — n.d. 58 13 197897 MGRGSHHHHHHLDLWGPPSGSPRTRSTTGTSTTSSPSTPGTLTLRRHPH — n.d. 59 14 197825 MGRGSHHHHHHARSWQPEVKMSSLVDTSQTVGAAVETRTTDANAPKASA ✓ — 60 15 198000 MGRGSHHHHHHARSWRDTRKLHMRHYFPLAIDSYWDHTLRDANAPKASAI ✓ — 61 16 197983 MGRGSHHHHHHARSWTSMQGETLWRTDRLATTKTSMSHPPDANAPKASAI — n.d. 62 17 197998 MGRGSHHHHHHHARSPLWYHYNCWDTICLADWLKDRPHGVYDANAPKASA — n.d. 63 18 197947 MGRGSHHHHHHARSVGTTIRIAQDTEHYRNVYHKLSQYSRDANAPKASAI ✓ — 64 19 197954 MGRGSHHHHHHARSVGTTIRIAQDTEHYRNVYHKLSQYSRDANAPKASAI — n.d. 65 20 197971 MGRGSHHHHHHARSNVIPLNEVWYDTGWDRPHRSRLSIDDDANAPKASAI — n.d. 66 *Test 1 represents the target binding ability of free peptides (0) and test 2 represents the binding specificity of variants in the presence of AP process fluids (0). Variants that are positive in both assays are 5, 6 and 9. F. Peptide production by chemical synthesis

Eight different peptides were produced by chemical synthesis in form of N-terminal biotinylated peptides. The Biotin group was spaced via a short hydrophilic linker (PEG2=8-Amino-3,6-dioxaoctanoic acid). Two of these 8 peptides (PP26-5c and gumarin-9c) were additional synthesized in form of C-terminal tagged biotinylated peptides (via an additional C-terminal Lysine). The peptides were automatically synthesized using the Fmoc/But strategy according to Sheppard, purified by HPLC and subsequently lyophilized. The quality of all purified peptides was confirmed by mass spectroscopy. The target quantity of each peptide synthesis was 5 mg purified peptide. An overview about yield and purity of the synthetic peptides after purification is given in Table 5.

TABLE 5 Peptide Synthesis of Pertussis Toxin Binding Peptides* Purity Yield SEQ Selection Clone Seq # Sequence (%) (mg) ID pp26 5 c 197557 RSSHCRHRNCHTITRGNMRIETPNNIRKDAK 90-95 7.7 67 pp26 5 n 197557 RSSHCRHRNCHTITRGNMRIETPNNIRKDA 90-95 7.6 68 pp26 6 n 197596 RSTMNTNRMDIQRLMTNHVKRDSSPGSIDA 90-95 6.3 69 pp26 9 n 197588 RSNVIPLNEVWYDTGWDRPHRSRLSIDDDA 90-95 5.8 70 pp26 15n 198000 RSWRDTRKLHMRHYFPLAIDSYWDHTLRDA 90-95 4.8 71 gurmarin 9 c 194259 SGCVKKDELCARWDLVCCEPLECIYTSELYATCGK 70 1.0 72 gurmarin 9 n 194259 SGCVKKDELCARWDLVCCEPLECIYTSELYATCG 80-90 4.0 73 gurmarin 10 n 194264 SGCVKKDELCELAVDECCEPLECFQMGHGFKRCG 90-95 4.9 74 gumarin 15n 194511 SGCVKKDELCSQSVPMCCEPLECKWFNENYGICGS 90-95 6.3 75 gurmarin 19 n 194737 SGCVKKDELCELAIDECCEPLECTKGDLGFRKCG 90-95 6.7 76 *Abbreviation c in the clone name indicates C-terminal biotinylated peptides, abbreviation n indicates N-terminal biotinylated peptides.

All pp26 peptides were dissolved in 100 mM HEPES, pH 7.4, 200 mM NaCl with a final concentration of 100 μM. All gurmarin peptides were dissolved in 100 mM HEPES, pH 7.4, 200 mM NaCl, 2 mM GSH, 1 mM GSSG with a final concentration of 100 μM and subsequently incubated under nitrogen for at least 48 hours to allow structural folding.

G. Peptide production by bacterial expression

The peptides which were identified as binders to the pertussis toxin were subcloned in frame to glutathione-S-transferase (GST) and expressed bacterially. The GST-tag enhances the solubility and allows purification using Glutathione Sepharose. An enginered protease cleavage site recognized by the specific PreScission™ protease allows removal of the GST-tag releasing the peptide. The PreScission™ protease itself is a fusion protein of GST and human rhinovirus (HRV) type 14 3C protease and specifically recognizes the sequence Leu-Phe-Gln*Gly-Pro cleaving between the Gln and Gly residues. After the cleavage the uncleaved product as well as the protease can be removed from the cleavage reactions using Glutathione Sepharose.

H. Construction of expression vectors

-   -   1. Construction of GST fusions for pp26-variants

As template for PCR served the pCR2.1 vector containing the sequences of the identified pp26 binders to PT. The products obtained in a PCR using the oligonucleotides #467 (5′-CATGCCATGGGACGTGGCTCACATCATC-3′; SEQ ID NO: 66) and #468 (5′-phosphate-GGGTTAAATAGCGGATGCCTTCGGAGCGTTAGCGTC-3′; SEQ ID NO: 67) with Pwo DNA polymerase (Roche) were digested with NcoI (New England Biolobs). A modified vector (pGEX6P (Amersham/Pharmacia) containing an additional NcoI site) was digested with NcoI/SmaI (New England Biolobs) and the PCR product was directionally cloned into the NcoI/SmaI site of this vector. After transformation in TOP10 (Invitrogen) positive clones were identified by colony PCR and verified by sequencing.

-   -   2. Construction of GST fusions for gurmarin-variants

As template for PCR served the pCR2.1 vector containing the sequences of the identified gurmarin binders to PT. The products obtained in a PCR using the oligonucleotides #464 (5′-GGAGATCTCATATGCACCATCACCATCACCATAGTGGC-3′; SEQ ID NO: 68) and #465 (5′-phosphate-GGGTTAAATAGCGGATGCTACTAGGC-3′; SEQ ID NO: 69) with Pwo DNA polymerase (Roche) were digested with NdeI (New England Biolobs). A modified vector (pGEX6P (Amersham/Pharmacia) containing an additional NdeI site) was digested with NdeI/SmaI (New England Biolobs) and the PCR product was directionally ligated into the Nde/SmaI site of this vector. After transformation in TOP10 (Invitrogen) positive clones were identified by colony PCR and verified by sequencing (Table 6).

TABLE 6 Vectors used for bacterial expression Plasmid number pp26 pS840 pGEX6P-(His)₆-pp26 K5 pS850 pGEX6P-(His)₆-pp26K6 pS841 pGEX6P-(His)₆-pp26K9 pS842 pGEX6P-(His)₆-pp26K15 gurmarin pS836 pGEX6P-(His)₆-gurmarin K9 pS837 pGEX6P-(His)₆-gurmarin K10 pS838 pGEX6P-(His)₆-gurmarin K15 pS839 pGEX6P-(His)₆-gurmarin K19

-   -   3. Expression and purification of GST-pp26 fusions

The bacterial strain Rosetta (DE3) pLysS (Novagen) was transformed with plasmid DNA (see Table). The transfomands of the pp26 variants were grown at 37° C. 250 rpm to an OD₆₀₀ of ˜0.5 and induced by the addition of 1 mM IPTG for 4 h. In case of gurmarin-GST-fusions the induction was performed for 2.5 hours using 0.33 mM IPTG. After harvesting the bacterials, cells were resuspended in PBS-KMT (10 mM Na phosphate, pH 7.5, 130 mM NaCl, 3 mM KCl, 1 mM MgCl, 0.1% Tween-20), containing 1 mM 2-Mercaptoethanol, protease inhibitors and 1 mM Lysozyme, incubated for 30 min at RT and disrupted by sonification. The soluble supernatant after centrifugation was transferred to GSH sepharose column for purification. After washing the column with 10 column volumes of 20 mM Hepes, pH 7.5, 150 mM NaCl the GST fusion protein was eluted with 20 mM GSH and analyzed on a SDS gel to confirm expression.

-   -   4. Peptide generation by removal of GST tag by cleavage with         PreScission™ Protease

An example for PreScission™ cleavage of one peptide from the GST-peptide fusion is shown below. The GST-tag was removed by incubation with PreScission™ Protease (Amersham Pharmacia): 2.5 mg of fusion protein was incubated with 160U PreScission™ and digested for 16 hours at 5° C. on the sealed GSTrap FF column containing the bound GST fusion protein. After the overnight incubation a second GSTrap FF column was connected to remove the GST-tagged protease PreScission™. The sample was applied with a flow rate of 0.2 ml/min, the flow through was collected in small aliquot samples and analyzed by SDS gel electrophoresis and the amount of peptide was calculated by OD₂₈₀ measurement (ca. 700 μg).

Example 3 Affinity Purification of PT

-   -   A. Analysis of fermentation supernatant on denaturing gels

Two process fluids were considered as potential starting material for affinity chromatography process:

-   -   Sample A Concentrated culture filtrate containing 10-50 μg/ml         (˜0.09-0.45 μM) crude PT, fermentation supernatant     -   Sample B Absorption chromatography supernatant containing 9-45         μg/ml (˜0.08-0.4 μM) crude PT         To visualize the complexity of these process fluids, both         samples were analyzed by denaturating polyacrylamid         gelelectrophoresis. Mainly high molecular weight components of         sample A are removed by the absorption chromatography (sample         B).     -   B. Immobilization of synthetic biotinylated core peptides to         Streptavidin sepharose and verification of binding to purified         PT         -   1. Peptide immobilization to Streptavidin sepharose

For binding of biotinylated peptides to streptavidin sepharose (Amersham High Performance 71-5004-40), 200 μl of 50% slurry of pre-washed streptavidin sepharose were incubated with 1 nmol peptide (10 μl of 100 μM peptide solution) in 1 ml HEPES buffer (20 mM HEPES, pH 7.5, 150 mM NaCl, 0.025% TritonX-100) at 4° C. Under the applied conditions the high binding capacity of streptavidin sepharose should allow immobilization of 100% of the biotinylated peptide (10 pmol peptide per μl packed sepharose).

-   -   -   2. Binding of purified PT to immobilized peptides

200 μl of sepharose loaded with peptides (10% ige slurry, containing immobilized ˜200 pmol peptide) were transferred to a Mobicol column (MoBiTec, 10 μm filter) and the supernatant was removed by centrifugation for 1 min at 2000 rpm. After 4 washes with HEPES buffer, the sepharose was resuspended in 200 μl HEPES buffer containing 100 pmol purified Pertussis Toxin and incubated on a rotating wheel for 1 hour at room temperature.

The unbound fraction was separated by centrifugation (supernatant after binding; applied to gel analysis). Subsequently the peptide-streptavidin sepharose was washed three-times with cold HEPES buffer (each 200 μl) and resuspended in 20 μl loading buffer (30 mM Tris, pH 6.8, 1% SDS, 1% (β-Mercaptoethanol, 12.5% Glycerol, 0.005% Bromphenol Blue) to elute bound PT. After 5 min incubation at 95° C. the loading buffer was collected by centrifugation and subsequently used for gel analysis (FIG. 15). As a control streptavidin sepharose without peptide was contacted with PT under identical conditions. Under the applied conditions the Pertussis toxin peptide binder clones pp26 5n, 5c, 9n, 15n and the gurmarin clones 10n, 19n, 15n, 9n show a clear binding to purified PT. All positive binder candidates were able to bind the intact hexameric PT.

-   -   C. Immobilization of synthetic biotinylated core peptides to         Streptavidin sepharose and verification of binding to PT out of         the fermentation supernatant.

Peptide immobilization to streptavidin sepharose and binding analysis to PT out of fermentation supernatants was performed as described in chapter 0 with the exception that the peptide streptavidin sepharoses were incubated with 200 μl Sample A (fermentation supernatant) or with 200 μl Sample B (absorption chromatography supernatant column, see chapter 0) and were subsequently washed 4-times with HEPES buffer at RT. The results of the binding analysis is presented in FIG. 16. Under the applied conditions the Pertussis toxin pp26 binder clones 9n, 15n and the gurmarin clones 9n, 15n were able to bind very efficiently the intact PT hexamer out of the fermentation supernatants Sample A and Sample B. Note that under the applied conditions the pp26 binder clone 5 and the gurmarin binder clones 10 and 19 might bind PT with lower affinity. Although the PT binding to these peptides out of Sample A and Sample B were not detected under the conditions, these binders might be still qualified for application as ligand in an affinity chromatography column (a column allows retention of PT by rebinding effects and therefore would minimize the k_(off) problematic).

-   -   D. Thermodynamic data on immobilized peptides

For estimation of peptides binding capacity 20 pmol of sepharose-immobilized peptides were incubated with an excess of 100 pmol PT in a volume of 200 μl HEPES buffer (corresponds to 500 nM PT). After washing, the fraction of peptide-streptavidin sepharose bound PT was quantified by gel analysis. This allows directly to calculate the fraction of binding active peptide under the applied conditions (assuming the PT/peptide binding ratio is 1:1). Under the assumption that a concentration of 500 nM PT is high enough to reach B_(max) for all peptides. The results of the analysis are shown in Table 7. The values presented therein are estimations for the expectable binding capacities of the peptides. An exact evaluation of binding capacity (B_(max)) and dissociation constant (K_(D)) of the most suitable binder may also be performed.

TABLE 7 Overview about fraction of binding active peptides under the applied experimental conditions Peptide name pp26 pp26 pp26 gurm gurm gurm gurm 5n 9n 15n 9n 10n 15n 19n Fraction of >5%¹ >50% >12.5% >12.5% |>5%¹ >50% >5%¹ binding active peptide ¹Calculation difficult because signals were near the detection limit

-   -   E. Analysis of the stability of the purified Pertussis toxin         hexamer under defined buffer conditions (pH, salt concentration,         detergents), using acceptable quality grade raw materials versus         Health Authorities requirements

The Pertussis toxin hexamer stability was tested under a broad range of pH and salt conditions on a BIAcore 2000 instrument. For this purpose ˜2000 RU of biotinylated PT were loaded on a streptavidin chip. Subsequently different buffers were applied to the chip immobilized PT for 2 min with a flow rate of 30 μl/min. After the end of each buffer injection the chip was equilibrated with HBS/EP running buffer (0,01 M HEPES pH 7.4, 0.15 M NaCl 3 mM EDTA 0.005% polysorbate 20 (v/v), at least 2 min with a flowrate of 30 μl/min). The difference of the measured RU signal before and after buffer injection correlates to the reduction of PT hexamer on the chip. This reduction was interpreted as loss of stability of PT hexamer under the aplied buffer conditions.

The analyzed pH range was between pH 2 and 10.5 using the following buffers: 10 mM glycine buffer (BIAcore, pH 2; 2.5; 3), 10 mM acetate buffer (BIAcore, pH 4; 4.5; 5; 5.5), 50 mM Tris/HCl (pH 8.5) and 100 mM carbonate buffer (pH 9.6 and 10.5). BIAcore sensograms demonstrating the influence of the pH on the PT hexamer stability were generated, and the results of the BIAcore analysis are summarized in Table 8. Under the applied conditions, Pertussis toxin hexamer was shown to be stable over a broad pH range between pH 2.5-10.5.

TABLE 8 Pertussis toxin hexamer stability under different pH conditions. pH 2 2.5 3 4 4.5 5 5.5 8.5 9.6 10.5 PT 93 98 100 100 100 100 100 100 98 95 hex- amer stability (%)

The influence of different salt conditions on the PT hexamer stability were investigated in comparable experiments on the BIAcore 2000 instrument for NaCl, KCl and MgCl₂ at pH 5.0 (10 mM acetate buffer) and pH 8.5 (50 mM Tris/HCl) respectively. An overview about PT hexamer stability under the applied salt conditions is shown in Table 9. The hexamer was stable in buffer (at pH 5 and 8.5) containing up to 2.5 M NaCl or up to 2 M KCl. In case of MgCl₂ the PT hexamer was stable in a buffer containing up to 2 M MgCl₂ at pH 8.5.

TABLE 9 Pertussis toxin hexamer stability under different salt conditions PT hexamer stability pH 5 pH 8.5 NaCl 0-2.5M 0-2.5M stable Stable KCl 0-2.0M 0-2.0M stable Stable MgCl₂ Nd 0-2.0M Stable

-   -   F. Establish defined wash and elution conditions allowing a         specific affinity purification of PT out of fermentation         supernatant (pH, salt concentration, detergents).

After the determination under which conditions the Pertussis toxin hexamer is stable, the next step was to investigate the wash and elution conditions for the bound Pertussis toxin to the immobilized peptides pp26 clone 9 and 15 and gurmarin clone 9 and 15.

-   -   -   1. Evaluation of PT/peptide stability using the BIAcore 2000             instrument

The stability of PT/peptide complexes were investigated using the BIAcore 2000 instrument under different pH and salt conditions that were shown before not to interfere with the PT hexamer stability. 500-1000 RU of the synthetic peptides were immobilized on BIAcore streptavidin chips. To allow binding of PT to the immobilized peptides, 20 nM purified PT in HEPES buffer was injected for 1 minute. After equilibration with HBS/EP running buffer (0,01 M HEPES pH 7.4, 0.15 M NaCl 3 mM EDTA 0.005% polysorbate 20 (v/v)) the PT/peptide complexes were washed by injection of

-   -   (a) 100 mM carbonate buffer at pH 10.5 and 9.5     -   (b) 10 mM acetate buffer at pH 5.5, 5.0, 4.5, and 4.0     -   (c) 10 mM glycine buffer at pH 3.0 and 2.5     -   (d) 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, 2.0 M NaCl in 10 mM acetate buffer buffer, pH         6.0,     -   (e) 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, 2.0 M NaCl in 50 mM Tris/HCl buffer, pH 8.5,     -   (f) 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, 2.0 M KCl in 10 mM acetate buffer, pH 6.0,     -   (g) 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, 2.0 M KCl in 50 mM Tris/HCl buffer, pH 8.5,     -   (h) 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, 2.0 M NaCl in 10 mM acetate buffer, pH 6.0,     -   (i) 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, 2.0 M NaCl in 50 mM Tris/HCl buffer, pH 8.5.

After the end of each buffer injection, the chip was equilibrated with HBS/EP running buffer. The loss of PT hexamer on the chip under the applied buffer conditions (difference of measured RU signal before and after buffer injection) reflects the PT/peptide complex stability. An overview about the pH range stability and salt stability of all PT/peptide complexes is summarised in Table 10. All of the PT/peptide complexes were completely destabilized in the presence of 100 mM carbonate, pH 10.5 as well as 10 mM glycine, pH 2.5. For gurmarin peptide 9, buffers containing 2.5 M NaCl or at least 0.5 M MgCl₂ interfere with PT/peptide complex stability. PT complexes with gurmarin peptide 15 were additionally destabilized in the presence of at least 1.5 M MgCl₂ in 50 mM Tris/HCl, pH 8.5).

TABLE 10 Effect of different pH and salt conditions on the stability of the PT/peptide complexes pp26 peptide 9 pp26 peptide 15 gurmarin peptide 9 gurmarin peptide 15 pH range 3-9 3-9 3-9 3-9 stability of stable, stable, stable, stable, the complex instable at pH 2.5 instable at pH 2.5 or instable at pH 2.5 or instable at pH 2.5 or or 10.5 10.5 10.5 10.5 pH 6 pH 8.5 pH 6 pH 8.5 pH 8.5 pH 6 pH 8.5 NaCl 2M 2M 2M 2M strong sensitive to salt sensitive to salt stability of stable stable stable stable the complex KCl 2M 2M 2M 2M strong sensitive to salt sensitive to salt stability of stable stable stable stable the complex MgCl₂ stable Sensitive stable up Elution ≧1.5, Elution ≧0.5M Elution ≧1M, Elution ≧1M, stability of from 125 mM, to 2M but complete complete the complex complete not elution ≧2M elution ≧2M elution ≧2M complete

-   -   -   2. Evaluation of wash conditions for purification of PT on             peptide streptavidin sepharose

Wash conditions were tried to apply close to the established conditions for pertussis toxin purification process on asialofetuin (washing with 50 mM Tris/HCl, pH 7.5, with or without 1 M NaCl). The Pertussis toxin purification protocol was optimized for the peptides pp26 clone 9 and 15 and gurmarin clone 9 and 15. 200 pmol of each peptide immobilized on 20 μl sepharose were incubated with 100 μl 50 mM Tris/HCl, pH 7.5 and 100 μl sample A or sample B to allow binding of PT. Subsequently the peptide sepharose with bound PT fraction was washed under 3 different conditions, as shown below:

-   -   (a) 3 times with 200 μl 50 mM Tris/HCl, pH 7.5;     -   (b) 3 times with 200 μl 50 mM acetate pH 6.0; and,     -   (c) 6 times with 200 μl 50 mM acetate pH 6.0.

After washing remaining material was eluted from the sepharose with 20 μl loading buffer (30 mM Tris, pH 6.8, 1% SDS, 1% (β-Mercaptoethanol, 12.5% Glycerol, 0.005% Bromphenol Blue). All elutions were subsequently analyzed by PAGE on 12% Bis-Tris-Gels (MES running buffer) and silver staining (FIG. 17).

Washing with 50 mM acetate, pH 6.0, is more stringent and reduces the back ground of high molecular weight impurities more efficient than washing with 50 mM Tris/HCl, pH 7.5. But under these washing conditions the PT/peptide complexes are less stable, especially in case of the gurmarin peptide 9 and repeated washes with 50 mM acetate, pH 6.0 (6 washes). In contrast to 50 mM Tris/HCl, pH 7.5, the loss of peptide immobilized PT was more dramatic when washing with 50 mM acetate, pH 6.0 was repeated 10 to 20 times (as an example shown for pp26 peptide 9 in FIG. 18).

-   -   -   3. Evaluation of elution conditions for purification of PT             on peptide streptavidin sepharose

Elution of PT from peptide sepharose was tested under conditions that are compatible with hexamer stability.

-   -   -   -   a. Elution by MgCl₂

As shown above by BIAcore 2000 measurements all PT/peptide complexes were sensitive against 2 M MgCl₂, conditions that were shown not to be critical for PT hexamer stability. The elution efficiencies of defined MgCl₂ concentrations were evaluated for PT that was bound on streptavidin sepharose via one of the four immobilized synthetic peptides. 400 pmol of each peptide immobilized on 20 μl sepharose were incubated with 100 μl 50 mM Tris/HCl, pH 7.5 and 100 μl sample A to allow binding of PT. After 4 washes with 50 mM Tris/HCl, pH 7.5 (200 μl each), the bound fraction of PT was eluted using 3 consecutive 20 μl volumes of

-   -   (a) 0.2 M MgCl₂ in 50 mM Tris/HCl, pH 8.5, or     -   (b) 0.5 M MgCl₂ in 50 mM Tris/HCl, pH 8.5, or     -   (c) 1.0 M MgCl₂ in 50 mM Tris/HCl, pH 8.5, or     -   (d) 1.5 M MgCl₂ in 50 mM Tris/HCl, pH 8.5, or     -   (e) 2.0 M MgCl₂ in 50 mM Tris/HCl, pH 8.5.         Remaining material was afterwards eluted from the peptide         streptavidin sepharose with 20 μl loading buffer (30 mM Tris, pH         6.8, 1% SDS, 1% (β-Mercaptoethanol, 12.5% Glycerol, 0.005%         Bromphenol Blue). All elutions were analyzed by PAGE on 12%         Bis-Tris-Gels (MES running buffer) and silver staining (FIG.         19). As shown in the experiment elution with MgCl₂ was more         efficient for the gurmarin peptides than for the pp26 peptides         although a substantial amount of PT still remained on the         peptide streptavidin sepharose.         -   -   b. Elution by pH-shift

The BIAcore measurements revealed that PT was elutable from all peptides with acidic (pH of 2.5) or basic (pH of 10.5) buffer conditions that were not critical for PT hexamer stability (50 mM glycine, pH 2.5 more gentle for PT hexamer stability than 100 mM carbonate buffer, pH 10.5). 200 pmol of each peptide immobilized on 20 μl sepharose were incubated with 100 μl 50 mM Tris/HCl, pH 7.5 and 100 μl sample A to allow binding of PT. After 4 washes with 50 mM Tris/HCl, pH 7.5 (200 μl each), PT was eluted from the peptide streptavidin sepharose by 3 consecutive 40 μl elutions with 50 mM glycine, pH 2.5, or 100 mM carbonate buffer, pH 10.5. Remaining material was subsequently eluted from the peptide streptavidin sepharose with 20 μl loading buffer (30 mM Tris, pH 6.8, 1% SDS, 1% β-Mercaptoethanol, 12.5% Glycerol, 0.005% Bromphenol Blue). All elutions were analyzed by PAGE on 12% Bis-Tris-Gels (MES running buffer) and silver staining (FIG. 20). Nearly all of PT was elutable from the peptide streptavidin sepharose using 50 mM glycine, pH 2.5 as well as using 100 mM carbonate buffer, pH 10.5.

-   -   -   -   4. Apply optimized conditions for small scale                 purification scheme, confirm binding capacity                 -   a. Purification of PT from Sample B under optimized                     wash and elution conditions (4 μl column)

Optimized wash and elution conditions were combined to allow the purification of PT on peptide streptavidin sepharoses out of Sample B. To reduce unspecific binding of PT the optimal peptide/streptavidin sepharose ratio was titrated for each peptide before. Subsequently the Sample B/peptide streptavidin sepharose ratio was optimized in respect to high recovery of PT per expectable high (moderate) input of peptide. These conditions were applied to the following small scale column purifications.

For pp26 peptide 9 and gurmarin peptide 15, the immobilization to streptavidin sepharose was performed by incubation of 16 μl streptavidin sepharose with 1600 pmol peptide. In case of pp26 peptide15, 16 μl streptavidin sepharose was incubated with 6000 pmol peptide (pp26/15 binds with lower efficiency to the streptavidin sepharose, might be explainable by incomplete peptide biotinylation). For gurmarin peptide 9, 8000 pmol were immobilized on 80 μl streptavidin sepharose. Subsequently the washed peptide streptavidin sepharoses were equally subdivided and transferred to 4 Mobilcom columns (with 10 μM filters).

Each column (containing 4 μl sepharose with 400 pmol peptide for pp26/9 and gur/15; 4 μl with undefined amount bound peptide pp26/15; 20 μl with 2000 pmol peptide for gur/9) was incubated with 400 μl Sample B (adjusted to pH 7.0-7.5 by addition of HCl) to allow binding of PT. After 5 washes with 50 mM Tris/HCl, pH 7.5 (each 100 μl), PT was eluted from the peptide streptavidin sepharose by consecutive elutions (3 elutions for pp26/9 and gur/15; 4 elutions for pp26/15 and gur/9), as follows:

-   -   (a) with 50 mM glycine, pH 2.5 (each 20 μl) in case of column 1,         or     -   (b) with 100 mM carbonate buffer, pH 10.5 (each 20 μl) in case         of column 2, or     -   (c) with 2 M MgCl₂ in 50 mM Tris, pH 8.5 (each 20 μl) in case of         column 3.         Remaining material on column 1-3 as well on column 4 was         subsequently eluted from the peptide streptavidin sepharoses by         elution with 20 μl loading buffer (30 mM Tris, pH 6.8, 1% SDS,         1% (β-Mercaptoethanol, 12.5% Glycerol, 0.005% Bromphenol Blue).         All elutions were analyzed by PAGE on 12% Bis-Tris-Gels (MES         running buffer) and silver staining (FIGS. 21, 22). To calculate         the yield of PT after purification on the peptide streptavidin         sepharoses the pooled elutions 1-3 were analyzed by PAGE and         silver staining and compared to defined amounts of purified PT         separated on the same gel allowing an estimation (FIGS. 21B and         22B). Based on the gel estimation, the yield of purified PT was         calculated as shown in Table 11. 

1-51. (canceled)
 52. A reagent comprising a peptide and a nucleic acid sequence encoding the peptide, the peptide having the amino acid sequence CVKKDELCXXXXXXCCEPLECXXXXXXXXXC, where X is any amino acid.
 53. The reagent of claim 1 wherein the nucleic acid sequence is ribonucleic acid (RNA).
 54. The reagent of claim 1 wherein the nucleic acid sequence is deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA).
 55. A method for generating a DNA-peptide fusion, said method comprising: (a) covalently bonding a nucleic acid reverse-transcription primer to a peptide acceptor of a reagent of claim 53; (b) translating the RNA to produce the peptide covalently bound to the reverse- transcription primer; and, (c) reverse transcribing said RNA to produce a DNA-peptide fusion.
 56. A method for purifying pertussis toxin comprising contacting a biological solution containing pertussis toxin with a DNA-peptide fusion produced by the method of claim 55 to produce a complex between the DNA-peptide fusion and pertussis toxin, and isolating the pertussis toxin.
 57. The method of claim 56 wherein pertussis toxin is released from the complex and isolated.
 58. The method of claim 57 wherein the pertussis toxin is released from the complex by altering the pH of the environment surrounding the complex.
 59. The method of claim 58 wherein the complex is exposed to a solution having an acidic pH.
 60. The method of claim 58 wherein the complex is exposed to a solution having a basic pH.
 61. The method of claim 57 wherein the pertussis toxin is released from the complex by altering the ionic strength of the environment surrounding the complex.
 62. The method of claim 61 wherein the ionic strength is altered by exposing the complex to a solution having a high concentration of one or more ionic salts.
 63. The method of claim 62 wherein the ionic salt is at least one of sodium chloride or magnesium chloride.
 64. The method of claim 63 wherein the ionic salt is magnesium chloride.
 65. The method of claim 56 wherein the DNA-peptide fusion is attached to a solid support.
 66. The method of claim 65 wherein said solid support is a bead.
 67. The method of claim 65 wherein said solid support comprises sepharose.
 68. The method of claim 65 wherein the DNA-peptide fusion is biotinylated and the solid support comprises avidin.
 69. The method of claim 68 wherein the solid support is streptavidin sepharose. 